Waste collection glove

ABSTRACT

An eversible waste collection glove for collecting animal solid waste or excrement. The glove has a dimpled palm-side surface, so that the tactile sensation and thermal sensation of collecting animal solid waste or excrement is substantially diminished. The invention can be made with both a left- and right-handed thumb on the same glove, so that either hand may be used to collect animal solid waste. The glove may be constructed with a heavy ply on the palm-facing surface, so as to further reduce both tactile and thermal sensation.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to the field sanitary handlers for pet droppings. Specifically, this invention is a textured glove or mitten to dispose pet waste, while diminishing or eliminating tactile sensation.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

According to the American Humane Society, in the United States in 2015, over 54 million households have at least one dog. This means that approximately 44% of the United States households have at least one pet dog. In total, there are an estimated 78 million pet dogs in the United States, indicating a significant number of multi-dog households. The American Pet Products Association (“APPA”) estimates an even higher number of dogs in the United States: 83.3 million.

On an annual basis, these dogs produce over 10 million tons of solid waste per year, or approximately 250 pounds per hound per year. Most urban and suburban dog owners have to clean up their dog's waste. Many municipalities have ordinances that require immediate removal of dog waste. Additionally, it is a common covenant in the bylaws of home owners associations, condo associations, and apartment complexes.

A typical dog owner takes a plastic bag on walks, to pick up any solid waste that his or her dog may deposit. The waste is then deposited in a nearby trashcan, or the owner is forced to finish the walk, holding the bag. Collecting fresh solid dog waste is an unpleasant experience from both a smell and tactile point of view. Clearly, the smell is unavoidable. The tactile sensation is unpleasant because the current solutions for collecting solid dog waste are, typically, re-purposed plastic bags. The re-purposed plastic bags, whether originally for carrying groceries, bread, produce, or other items, allow substantial tactile information. Additionally, due to the thickness of the re-purposed bags, a substantial amount of thermal transfer occurs, also. Many of the re-purposed bags have unseen holes or slits, that only become apparent when the solid dog waste is collected by the unsuspecting owner. Clearly, there is a need for a better solution.

Americans spent close to $60 Billion on their pets, annually. In 2012, the average spending, per dog, was almost $1,500 in the United States. Clearly, Americans love their dogs, and spend a considerable amount of money on their dogs.

PRIOR ART REVIEW

There is a substantial amount of prior art that attempts to provide a better solution to the solid dog waste collection problem. The ideal solution will be something that was impermeable, sanitary, flexible, inexpensive, can be everted (turned inside out), prevent tactile sensation, and can be sealed after use. None of the current solutions in the prior art are ideal.

Most of the prior art for collecting solid dog waste obviously centers around a glove or bag. U.S. Pat. No. 5,704,670, by named inventor Surplus, is entitled, “Glove bag” (“Surplus '670”). Surplus '670 teaches a plastic waste collection glove with an extra long arm portion or cuff. Surplus '670 discloses a device that can collect solid waste and then be everted. The cuff portion has sealing strips that allow the glove to be sealed. Surplus '670 is a relatively expensive solution, in that it has a substantial amount of excess material. Additionally, Surplus '670 does not substantially diminish the tactile sensation of collecting solid dog waste.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,964,188, by named inventor Olson, is entitled, “Clean up device” (“Olson '188”). U.S. Pat. No. 5,301,806 (reissued as RE35,814), by named inventor Olson, is entitled, “Clean up with cut resistant layer” (“Olson '814”). Both Olson '188 and Olson '814 teach a glove inside a squarish bag, wherein the glove portion is heatsealed or otherwise partitioned off from the rest of the bag. Both Olson patents teach using a cut resistant layer in order to reduce the possibility of hand contamination. Both Olson patents teach that the outside of the pad should be padded in order to absorb moisture and reduce tactile sensation. Both Olson patents come with a drawstring. Olson uses a number of different materials, including padding, a cut resistant pad, a glove and a bag. It is not an inexpensive solution. Also, even though it is designed to be everted, the glove connected to the inside of the bag would substantially tend to hamper everting.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,788,733, by named inventor Lerner, is entitled, “Combined cleaning glove and disposal bag” (“Lerner '733”). Lerner '733 teaches an eversible cleaning mitt, with defined thumb and pinkie finger. The other three fingers are intended to go into a common fitting in the middle of the mitt. The palm of the mitt has a paper-towel-like surface, for cleaning. The paper-towel-like surface also minimizes tactile sensation when picking up waste. The mitt does not seal when everted. The mitt is not cheap, because the paper-towel-like surface would have to be glued or added to the glove as an after-process.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,481,766, by named inventor May, is entitled, “Glove-like disposal bag” (“May '766”). May '766 teaches a bag-glove with webbing between thumb and pointer finger, an external sanitizing agent, and draw string to secure to arm. May '766 can be everted. May '766 is not an ideal solution, because it relies on pads to be adhered to the palm and side of the glove. It also does not minimize tactile sensation.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,645,251, by named inventor Jacobs, is entitled, “Glove-like waste disposal system” (“Jacobs '251”). Jacobs '251 teaches a device that has both an inner and outer glove, designed to minimize tactile sensation. The inner glove is re-usable, while the outer glove is disposed after each use. Jacobs '251 is relatively expensive, due to its redundant materials and complexity. The outer glove is eversible and sealable.

Additional U.S. patents teach variations of the above. U.S. Pat. No. 7,845,694 teaches a nested bag over mitt to pick up multiple droppings. U.S. Pat. No. 6,611,961 teaches another embodiment of a reversible waste collection glove with tie. U.S. Pat. No. 6,203,080 teaches a reversible, sealable waste collection glove. None of these inventions approach the above described ideal.

None of these inventions have met with any type of substantial market acceptance, an indictment of the prior art considering the substantial annual spending on pets in the United States. The present invention attempts to overcome this problem, by offering a impermeable, sanitary, flexible, inexpensive, eversible, sealable waste collection glove that insulates the user from both thermal and tactile sensation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a waste collection glove that is impermeable, sanitary, flexible, inexpensive, eversible, sealable and insulates the user from both thermal and tactile sensation.

The glove can be made out of any common, useful plastic, such as HDPE, LDPE, or, polypropylene. Additionally, Oxo-biodegradable versions of both polyethylene and polypropylene can be used, as long as the formulation does not react too quickly with fecal moisture.

In its first embodiment, the present invention is made from two sheets of material, one for the top side and one for the palm side. The top side sheet is relatively thin, in the 1-2 mil range (0.001″-0.002″). The palm side sheet is made with a relatively thick ply, in the 5-6 mil range. The palm side sheet is dimpled, to reduce tactile and thermal sensation. The top and bottom sheets are trimmed in a glove-like shape bonded using common processes such as heat sealing. The overall profile is large enough that the glove can be everted, after collecting waste. A drawstring is attached to the inside of the the glove, so that, when everted, the drawstring is on the outside. The drawstring opening is accessible from the top of the glove.

In a second embodiment of the glove, the palm-side is fabricated from two-plies, one of which is of 5-6 mil material, and the other of which is of 1-2 mil material. The thicker ply is dimpled: The thinner ply is not. The smooth, thinner ply is placed on the inside of the glove, next to the user's hand. This configuration further reduces tactile sensation at the cost of an extra, thin ply of material.

In a third embodiment of the glove, the top and bottom sheets would be trimmed to have both a left and right thumb, so that it can be worn on either hand.

In a fourth embodiment of the glove, the top and bottom sheets would be trimmed to have both a left and right thumb, and the middle fingers would all be inserted in a common fitting, like the finger portion of a mitten.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

There are seven relevant drawings. FIG. 1A is an isometric view of the palm-side of a first embodiment of the waste collection glove; FIG. 1B is an isometric view of the palm-side of a first embodiment of the waste collection glove with a user's hand inserted. FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the top side of a first embodiment of the waste collection glove.

FIG. 3A is an isometric view of the palm side of a second embodiment of the waste collection glove; FIG. 3B is an isometric view of the palm-side of a second embodiment of the waste collection glove with a user's hand inserted. FIG. 4 is an isolation view of the top side of a second embodiment of the waste collection glove.

FIG. 5A is a side view of a first embodiment of the waste collection glove; FIG. 5B is a side view of a first embodiment of the waste collection glove with a user's hand inserted. standard guitar pick. FIG. 3 is a back view of a standard guitar pick. FIG. 6 is a side view of a second embodiment of the waste collection glove.

FIG. 7A is an isometric view of the palm-side of a first embodiment of the waste collection glove with user's hand inserted, while the user begins removing the waste collection glove with the user's other hand. FIG. 7B is an isometric view of the waste collection glove, everted, so as to hold solid dog waste.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description represents the inventors' current preferred embodiments. The description is not meant to limit the invention, but rather to illustrate its general principles and utility. Examples are illustrated with the accompanying drawings. A variety of drawings are offered, showing multiple views and multiple embodiments of the present invention, both with a user's hand inserted, and without a user's hand inserted.

FIG. 1A shows the palm side 6 of a right-handed waste collection glove 100. FIG. 1B shows the palm side 6 of a right-handed waste collection glove 100, with a user's hand inserted 20. FIG. 2 shows the top side 9 of a right-handed waste collection glove 100. FIG. 5A shows the side of a right-handed waste collection glove 100. FIG. 5B shows the side of a right-handed waste collection glove 100, with a user's hand inserted 20. The right-handed waste collection glove 100 has a palm surface 6 and a top surface 9 joined at a seam 11. Both the top surface 9 and the palm surface 6 have a plurality of finger regions 2, 3, 4, 5, and a thumb region 15.

The palm surface 6 is constructed from a thin sheet polymer, such as LDPE, HDPE, or polypropylene. The palm surface 6 is constructed from either a single ply of approximately 5-6 mil thick material, or a two-ply construction wherein one ply is approximately 1-2 mil thick; and the other ply is approximately 5-6 mil thick. The top surface 9 is constructed from a thin sheet polymer, such as LDPE, HDPE, or polypropylene. The top surface 9 is approximately 1-2 mil thick.

The top surface 9 and the palm surface 6 are joined at a seam 11, using common industrial practices such as heat sealing. The plurality finger regions 2, 3, 4, 5, and a thumb region 15 can either be cut into the material prior to heat sealing; or the heat sealer die can be used to simultaneously seal the two surfaces 6, 9 together and to form the plurality finger regions 2, 3, 4, 5, and a thumb region 15. Once formed and joined, the right-handed waste collection glove 100 has a plurality finger regions 2, 3, 4, 5, and a thumb region 15, into which a user's hand 20 can be placed. The waste collection glove 100 has a rim or flange 10 through which the hand is placed 20. An optional drawstring 1 can be fabricated and joined to the glove. The drawstring 1 is formed so that it is accessible on the inner surface of the rim or flange 10. In this way, the drawstring 1 is accessible when the waste collection glove is everted.

The palm-surface 6 is dimpled, with a plurality of bumps 60 that protrude away from the top surface 9. The bumps 60 on the palm surface 6 reduce the tactile sensation of the user's hand 20. The bumps 60 on the palm surface 6 also improve gripping with the right-handed waste collection glove 100.

FIG. 3A shows the palm side 6 of a second embodiment of the waste collection glove 200. FIG. 3B shows the palm side 6 of a second embodiment of the waste collection glove 200, with a user's hand inserted 20. FIG. 4 shows the top side 19 of a second embodiment of a waste collection glove 200. FIG. 6 shows the side of the second embodiment of the waste collection glove 200. The waste collection glove 200 has a palm surface 16 and a top surface 19 joined at a seam 21. Both the top surface 19 and the palm surface 16 have a plurality of finger regions 2, 3, 4, 5, a right thumb region 15, and a left thumb region 7.

The palm surface 16 is constructed from a thin sheet polymer, such as LDPE, HDPE, or polypropylene. The palm surface 16 is constructed from either a single ply of approximately 5-6 mil thick material, or a two-ply construction wherein one ply is approximately 1-2 mil thick; and the other ply is approximately 5-6 mil thick. The top surface 19 is constructed from a thin sheet polymer, such as LDPE, HDPE, or polypropylene. The top surface 19 is approximately 1-2 mil thick.

The top surface 19 and the palm surface 16 are joined at a seam 21, using common industrial practices such as heat sealing. The plurality finger regions 2, 3, 4, 5, and the thumb regions 15, 7 can either be cut into the material prior to heat sealing; or the heat sealer die can be used to simultaneously seal the two surfaces 16, 19 together and to form the plurality finger regions 2, 3, 4, 5, and the thumb region 15, 7. Once formed and joined, the second embodiment of the waste collection glove 200 has a plurality finger regions 2, 3, 4, 5, and thumb regions 15, 7, into which a user's hand 20 can be placed. The waste collection glove 200 has a rim or flange 10 through which the hand is placed 20. An optional tie 1 can be fabricated and joined to the glove.

The palm-surface 16 is dimpled, with a plurality of bumps 60 that protrude away from the top surface 19. The bumps 60 on the palm surface 16 reduce the tactile sensation of the user's hand 20. The bumps 60 on the palm surface 6 also improve gripping with the waste collection glove 200.

FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B show that the waste collection glove 100 can be everted. The typical features are notable: plurality finger regions 2, 3, 4, 5; a thumb regions 15; and a rim or flange 10. The user grasps the rim or flange 10 using their free hand 30, to remove their right hand 20. By everting the waste collection glove 100, any solid dog waste is bagged. The inner surface 50 is now on the outside. The inner surface of the glove can be treated with an antimicrobial agent. The string tie 1 can be tightened to seal the waste. 

1. A waste collection glove comprised of a first planar material forming a thin, flexible palm surface and a second planar material forming a thin, flexible top surface; both the top and palm surfaces having a plurality of finger regions, a left thumb region, and a right thumb region; the thin, flexible palm surface and thin, flexible top surface are durably bonded together so that the finger regions and thumb regions of the respective surfaces line up, creating a glove suitable for a user to wear, having sealed finger regions and sealed thumb regions, with an open end in which to insert a user's hand; wherein the first planar material is at least twice the thickness as the second planar material; wherein the thin, flexible palm surface is dimpled with protrusions that extend away from the palm of the user; wherein the waste collection glove is eversible, exposing an inner surface of both the palm surface and top surface, with an antimicrobial agent on the inner surface; and wherein a continuous draw string is embedded in the inner surface of the open end and is accessible to the user when the glove is everted.
 2. (canceled)
 3. (canceled)
 4. The waste collection glove described in claim 1, wherein the first planar material forming the thin, flexible palm surface is at least one of LDPE, HDPE, and polypropylene.
 5. (canceled)
 6. The waste collection glove described in claim 4, wherein the first planar material forming the thin, flexible palm surface is constructed from 5-7 mil material.
 7. The waste collection glove described in claim 6, wherein the dimples are created by vacuum forming the palm surface material.
 8. The waste collection glove described in claim 4, wherein the thin, flexible palm surface is constructed from a two-ply material.
 9. The waste collection glove described in claim 8, where one ply is 5-6 mil and the other ply is 0.5-2 mil.
 10. The waste collection glove described in claim 9, wherein the 5-6 mil ply is dimpled, prior to being bonded to the 0.5-2 mil ply.
 11. (canceled)
 12. (canceled)
 13. (canceled)
 14. The waste collection glove described in claim 1, wherein the second planar material forming the thin, flexible top surface is at least one of LDPE, HDPE, and polypropylene.
 15. The waste collection glove described claim in 14, wherein the second planar material forming the thin, flexible top surface is constructed from 1-2 mil material.
 16. (canceled)
 17. (canceled)
 18. (canceled)
 19. (canceled)
 20. (canceled) 